Pug smiled as if flattered. He was now certain she was a spy, sent to seduce him and discover if there was anything more to him than the story provided by Baron James of the Prince’s Court in Krondor. He glanced at where his son reclined, and saw that a somewhat younger and equally attractive woman had been paired with him. Amirantha was paired with a very academic-looking gentleman, and Pug held a grin in check. Amirantha had revealed himself to be something of a lady’s man over the time Pug had known him, while Magnus…Pug occasionally worried about his last surviving son. Magnus had been terribly hurt by a young woman when he was barely more than a boy, and had retreated from becoming involved with women since then. Pug was certain he occasionally succumbed to his more fundamental needs—he was injured, not dead—but while he might have enjoyed the company of a courtesan in Kesh or a better brothel in Roldem, Magnus had avoided several advances by young female students at Sorcerer’s Isle over the years. It would have worked out better for the Quegan intelligence apparatus had they placed the academic gentleman with Magnus and the pretty woman with Amirantha.

Pug turned his attention back to Livia and asked, “Seriously, do you like working in the archives?”

She shrugged. He had touched on something and wondered just what preparation for this visit she had been given. If she was a Quegan agent, she would have some knowledge of the archives, but would hardly be an expert.

She said, “To be truthful, it’s a boring calling. Once in a while I get something to read that is interesting, and I don’t mind those hours. My task is to write a one-paragraph précis of the work, assign a location within the archive, and ensure that my entry is copied into the main codex of the archive.” She fixed him with a calculating gaze. “I could return to your quarters with you, if you’d like, to discuss some of the more esoteric volumes in the archives. Some are quite…revealing.”

Pug held a smile in check and merely inclined his head slightly, as if thinking about the offer.

“Unless you prefer to stay for the orgy?”

Pug’s eyebrow lifted slightly. Of all the nations in this part of the world, he had visited Queg the fewest times, and had forgotten that some of their customs were radically different from the Kingdom or even Great Kesh. Now he remembered why all the servants would be young and attractive. The after-dinner orgy was a staple of grand welcomes for foreign visitors and certain holidays. He had no moral qualms about other people’s behavior for the most part, but his own feelings demanded intimacy be limited to a committed love.

Not having to feign his feelings, Pug softly said, “I just recently lost my wife.”